My UM
My UM
Search

Living the dream (job)

When Nina Gormanns was cleaning out her house in Canada, she found some old folders containing notes from a career workshop she had followed as a student at Maastricht University. “There was a sheet of paper where I’d written down the three things I really wanted to do later. I thought: Ha, I have my dream job!” Gormanns is director of Environmental Taxation and Policy at the Canadian Department of Finance.

Originally from Mönchengladbach, Germany, Nina Gormanns would never have guessed that studying in the Netherlands would lead her to meet her husband while on exchange in Singapore, and then eventually settle in Canada. But that’s exactly what happened. Gormanns came to Maastricht for its English-language economics programmes and the Problem-Based Learning system. She still benefits from the discussion and leadership skills she acquired here, and from being pushed outside her comfort zone. Not to mention how her choice of study programme shaped her future, in the form of her husband, John. “During my bachelor’s, I went on exchange to Singapore. John, who’s from Canada, was in Hong Kong for his exchange. One of my fellow students was a friend of his, and we met during a trip to Hong Kong. It was a like sparks flew at first sight.”

Calling UM alumni

After her bachelor’s, she moved to Canada for a year to see if the relationship had a future. It did—but following her chosen master’s programme in Canada turned out to be difficult, so Gormanns returned to Maastricht. “Like many German students, I was able to work at the Mercedes-Benz call centre here to pay for my studies.” 

She and John explored career options in both Europe and Canada, and decided to settle in Canada. Gormanns was determined to find a job in her field—a challenge that local UM alumni were able to help with. “I even looked into setting up an Alumni Circle, as I find that a great way to stay in touch. We didn’t have enough people for that, but I really appreciated that UM sponsored some informal get-togethers I organised.” 

At home in Ottawa

The couple moved around in the following years, between Toronto and Ottawa. “We started out in Toronto, which is a bit like Amsterdam: a big, immigrant-rich city with different areas such as Little Italy and Koreatown. I loved that there was always something going on, like festivals in the summer. Ottawa is a big city with a small-town feel, but it’s developing rapidly. Plus, it’s a better place to raise a family, since it’s not as expensive as Toronto. We now live here with our daughter, and I’ve come to appreciate what the city has to offer.” 

As the capital, Ottawa is also home to the headquarters of the federal government. John was already working there, and Gormanns joined him in 2016. “Before that, I was working at an advocacy group for small and medium-sized businesses. I was on the research side, interacting a lot with lobbyists, trying to influence policy. But there’s only so much you can do, and I started to feel like it would be interesting to work where policy is actually made.” 

 

Protecting the environment 

Gormanns was hired by the Department of Finance. She spent six months conducting quantitative analyses, then stepped in for a colleague who was going on parental leave. At the time, Canada was considering the implementation of carbon pricing as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

Nina Gormanns

“I’ve always been very interested in environmental protection, and it was great to have the opportunity to work on policy and see if it was for me.” She conducted analyses for working group meetings, and wrote briefing notes for the finance minister, taking into consideration the many aspects of policy development. “Pushing that forward, helping to design the policy—which is quite politically charged—was great. I loved it and was able to stay.”

 

Fearless advice
 

Carbon pricing was implemented, and, in 2023, Gormanns was appointed to lead the team responsible for the federal fuel charge. This is part of Canada’s carbon-pricing system, which is, in turn, a key pillar of the country’s climate plan. With the forthcoming elections, chances are that the policy will be reversed by the new government. “I’m a public servant, and that means giving advice fearlessly, but implementing policies loyally. So that’s what I would do. I uphold the values of the public service, which entails being professional and non-partisan. There are so many interesting policy questions that I find valuable and exciting. Also, Finance is a small, but very productive and professional department. What you work on is one thing, but who you work for and with also makes a big difference.” 

So what were the three key words she wrote down as a student about her dream job? “Policy, environment and government. I don’t plan years ahead, but what’s always served me is knowing what’s important to me and what my values are. I want to work on something I care about and that challenges me, but also with really good people. So I hope to still be doing that in 10 years’ time.”

 

Text Femke Kools
Photography Nina Gormanns

Also read

  • Professional growth the European way

    Many former students have fond memories of time spent abroad during their degree, whether they spent a semester in Italy or went to Latvia for an internship. Stays abroad are possible for university staff as well, for example, as part of YUFE Staff Development Programmes.

    YUFE staff

  • Protests at Maastricht University 2025 - Update 1

    This morning, pro-Palestinian demonstrators began a protest at the Faculty of Law. In doing so, they blocked the entrances to the faculty building. UM is speaking with the protesters. The UM approach is clear: we give space to demonstrations where we can, and at the same time we want to safeguard...

    Logo UM